About this opportunity
Music has been part of Bennington College from the beginning. Electronic music started there in the early 1950s, Bob Dylan handed over his handwritten lyrics to the college literary magazine in 1963, and the Black Music Division founded by Bill Dixon and Milford Graves in 1974 championed free jazz and individual expression. The Young Musicians Awards extend that inheritance to high school students who are still finding their own sound.
The award asks for one original composition, and the college is deliberately open about what that can be. An electronic piece, a song, an improvisation, a work for piano, strings, orchestra or voice, something built on a computer or played on an instrument you made yourself all qualify. It may be notated or not, performed or not, and it can be in any language as long as you attach a written English translation. What the judges are listening for is a point of view, not polish.
Entry is free and students from any country can apply, with one submission per student in this discipline. A sponsoring teacher or mentor has to review and approve the work before it goes in, which also means homeschooled students can take part by asking a mentor to sponsor them. Grade 12 students follow a slightly different route, submitting through the Common Application or Coalition
Application steps
, which carries no application fee, is non binding and asks for no supplemental essays.
The rewards go beyond a certificate. First, second and third place in the category receive 2,000 USD, 1,000 USD and 500 USD, and distinguished entries receive 250 USD. Students who win first place and then enrol at Bennington receive a full tuition scholarship for four years, distinguished recipients receive half tuition, and finalists receive a 25,000 USD annual scholarship for four years. Winning and distinguished entries may also be published or showcased by the college, and they remain the property of the student.
What you receive
- Cash prize of 2,000 USD for first place in the category
- Cash prize of 1,000 USD for second place and 500 USD for third place
- 250 USD and a distinguished designation for particularly strong entries, awarded by category and grade level
- Full tuition scholarship for four years at Bennington College for first place winners who enrol
- Half tuition scholarship for four years at Bennington College for distinguished designation recipients who enrol
- 25,000 USD annual scholarship for four years at Bennington College for finalists who enrol
- Publication and showcase opportunities on Bennington's website, social channels and publications, with entries remaining the property of the student
- No entry fee at any stage
Who can apply
- Open to students in grades 9 to 12 worldwide
- One submission per student in this discipline award
- The entry must be a single original composition of up to five minutes
- All entries are reviewed for authenticity and originality
- Entries must be reviewed and approved by a sponsoring teacher or mentor
- Grade 12 students must submit through the Common Application or Coalition Application process
- Homeschooled students may take part by asking a mentor to sponsor their music
- A written English translation is required for compositions in another language
Who should not apply
- Students who have already graduated from high school are not eligible
- No Artificial Intelligence tool may be used to brainstorm, create, draft, revise, alter or collaborate in any way, and submissions that use AI are disqualified from this award
- Compilations of work are not considered
- AI assisted submissions are only considered for the Young Innovators Awards, not the Young Musicians Awards
Documents to prepare
- One original composition of a maximum of five minutes
- An audio file in MP3 or waveform format, with a recorded performance or MIDI version strongly recommended though not required
- Optional supporting material such as scores, charts, lead sheets or lyric sheets, provided they relate to the submitted composition
- Written English translation when the piece is in another language
- Name and contact details of a sponsoring high school teacher or mentor
How to apply
- Open the Bennington College Young Creator Awards entry form at https://admissions.bennington.edu/register/youngcreators
- Fill in the student information section of the form
- Choose the Young Musicians Awards category and upload one original composition of up to five minutes
- Attach any scores, charts, lead sheets or lyric sheets that relate to the piece, plus an English translation if the work is in another language
- Name the teacher or mentor who reviewed and approved the entry, since the college uses them as the contact for any questions
- If you are in grade 12, submit instead through the Common Application or Coalition Application process, then follow the instructions Bennington sends by email after the application is complete
- Submit before 1 November 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Selection process
- A panel of Bennington music faculty and students reviews every submission for originality, quality of work and the strength of the musical perspective demonstrated
- The pool is narrowed to finalists
- Judges assess the emotional and intellectual impact of the composition, the craft of composition, the skill of presentation where scores or charts are provided, the originality of the music, and the quality of performance where the composer also performs
- Round 1 judging runs by faculty and student panel from November to December 2026
- Round 2 judging by an external panel takes place in January 2027, when winners are selected
- Award winners are announced in spring 2027, with a press release and publication or showcase of winning entries
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Is there an entry fee?
No. The awards are free to enter, and grade 12 students who apply through the Common Application or Coalition Application pay no application fee, with no supplemental essays required and no binding commitment.
Who can enter?
Students in grades 9 to 12 anywhere in the world. Students who have already graduated from high school are not eligible.
What can I submit?
One original composition of up to five minutes. It can be electronic, a song, an improvisation, a piece for piano, strings, orchestra or voice, made with digital tools or on a self built instrument, notated or not, performed or not, and in any language with a written English translation.
Do I have to perform the piece myself?
No. A recorded performance or MIDI version is strongly recommended but not required, and you may play or sing the piece yourself if you wish.
Can I use AI to help write the music?
No. AI tools may not be used to brainstorm, create, draft, revise, alter or collaborate in any way, and submissions that use AI are disqualified from the Young Musicians Awards. They are only considered for the Young Innovators Awards.
I am homeschooled. Can I still apply?
Yes. Ask a mentor to sponsor your music, since every entry needs review and approval by a sponsoring teacher or mentor.
What happens if I win?
First, second and third place receive 2,000 USD, 1,000 USD and 500 USD. If you then enrol at Bennington College, first place winners receive a full tuition scholarship for four years, and finalists who enrol receive a 25,000 USD annual scholarship for four years.
When does the round close?
Submissions open on 1 September 2026 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time and close on 1 November 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
Important disclaimer
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